Tag Archives: Marcus Fabrics

Happy World Embroidery Day!

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Yes, today is World Embroidery Day!

In 2011 a local group belonging to Broderiakademin, the Swedish Embroiderers’ Guild, took the initiative to plan and create a special day to celebrate embroidery. World Embroidery Day was born. It’s now celebrated yearly on July 30.

So we thought we’d celebrate with a sneak peek at some of the embroidery work in our office, both finished and in-progress:

A while back, Brandy added lush embroidery stitches over the floral motifs of Laura Berringer’s INDIGO INFLUENCE, all raw-edge appliqued onto a background of Laura’s hot pink COLOR INFLUENCE texture print!  We loved the results ; )

Pati just started a yet-to-be-identified project, using our all-cotton BASECLOTH as the foundation.  I think she actually started this on her bus commute  ; )  The Basecloth’s slightly pebbled texture and medium weight make it the perfect support for all types of embellishments.  It’s also great for clothing, which you can then embellish as you like.Look for all eight colors at your favorite quilt shops.

       

Next, in the showroom we came across this gorgeous pillow, a contemporary design by Miriam Gourley. She adds hand stitching over a mix of FADE OUT neutral tonals by Laura Berringer, with appliques of Kim Eichler-Messmer’s IMBUE BATIKS.

We could all probably use little “embroidery break”, a minute to slow down end enjoy some creative, tech-free handiwork, so why not today? As mentioned on the World Embroidery Day website, “Make 30th July a day filled with creativity for the sake of Peace, Freedom and Equality”. Check out the manifesto in English, and find links to other languages on the site, too — Happy Stitching!

KI-COO GARDENS Giveaway from OkanArts

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Have you seen the gorgeous KI-COO GARDENS collection by Laura Berringer? It’s arriving in quilt shops now, and you might even be lucky enough to WIN a free FQ bundle of these pretty Asian -influenced motifs from our friend Patricia Belyea of Okan Arts.  You’ll find all of the July giveaway details on her recent blog post – just follow the simple instructions for your chance to win. 

(Photos: Okan Arts)

When the giveaway closes on July 31, whether you win or not, we’ve got two great free projects you’ll want to get started on right away… So, be sure to visit the Okan Arts blog post now to enter.  And follow us all on Instagram:  @okanarts, @laurasewmodern, @studio37fabrics, @marcusfabrics

Good Luck to all!

              

Let’s Go Back to School with Pete the Cat!

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Sew This Great Gear NOW!

With July half over already (!)  the time is right for planning and sewing back-to-school gear, and Pete the Cat makes it fun for everyone! Our PETE THE CAT: BACK TO SCHOOL fabric collection is available in quilts shops everywhere, and we’ve got a couple of great free projects, too…

This quick-to-sew drawstring duffel is perfect for pint-sized pupils, showing off the overall panel design with crayon print lining/facing. Make the matching zip-up crayon case, in the crayon print as shown, or your favorite Pete print.

      

The backpack is expertly modeled by Zuri.  Her mom and dad say Zuri is quite familiar with Pete the Cat through her various school activities and library visits, and she’s a big fan!

     

If you’ve got pint-sized Pete fans at home too, DOWNLOAD the FREE PROJECT now, and get them excited for the new school year!

©1999, 2010 James Dean by arrangement with MerryMakers, Inc.Pete the Cat® US Reg. #3820216, #4903976. Manufacturers Require a License

It’s Baby Season – Let’s Get Sewing!

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So, is it just us, or does it seem like every quilter we know is working on projects for the newest additions in their lives? (Just yesterday one of our designers announced that she’s expecting a grandchild, and it goes on from there!)  Blankets, bibs, stuffed toys, seat covers, changing pads and of course, cute outfits all make the list, and we just happen to have the perfect collection – SONGBOOK: Little Star is Laura Berringer’s (@laurasewmodern) lovely little flannel collection and it’s hitting quilt shops now!

Inspired by the time-honored lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” the group features musical motifs and lyrics, along with stars, baby footprints, feathers and sweet messages. Laura’s gentle color palette goes beyond the classic pink-or-blue option to include yellow, green and aqua, with neutral tones of tan and grey added for a bit of “Modern Baby” sophistication  ; )

And since many of our quilting friends love to make their baby gifts extra special, we know you’ll appreciate the Little Star quilt free project – it’s available on the website. Mix and match the coordinates as you like. Congrats to all, and happy sewing!

Quilt Market-Bound, Part II – Booth Demos & Cool Clothes!

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It’s that time again — final prep mode continues as we prepare to greet our quilt shop owners and industry friends at Spring Quilt Market!  This time, the trade show is in Portland, OR, May 18-20.  If you’re attending, you’ll find us in Booth # 737.

 

Pati Violick, our Director of Advertising & Marketing, will share a few cool techniques in the booth for various types of handwork, incorporating our versatile new basic BASECLOTH.  

And speaking of Basecloth, you’ll also want to see some of the gorgeous garments designed by Amy Barickman of Indygo Junction, also in the Basecloth – we told you it was versatile!   These easy, timeless silhouettes prove that our season-spanning cotton Basecloth goes far beyond quilting and needlework.  Shown below in three of the eight classic colors, the clothing patterns below (and many others) are available through Indygo Junction.  Now… for extra credit, imagine a bit of embroidery or other custom handwork along the edge of one of these garments…

Quilt Market-Bound, Part 1: BOM Programs and More

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It’s that time again — we’re in last-minute prep mode, ready to greet so many of our quilt shop owners and industry friends at Spring Quilt Market!  This time, the trade show is in Portland, OR, May 18-20.  If you’re attending, you’ll find us in Booth # 737, along with a display of the actual quilts from our stunning new BOM programs and designer fabric collections! Shown first here is “Stargazing” by Krisanne Watkins of Quail Valley Quilts (featuring our AGED MUSLINS)

Also enjoy the richly-colored and beautifully pieced PRIMITIVE THREADS collection by Pam Buda. The pattern is available through Heartspun Quilts. 

Next up: Kim Eichler-Messmer’s juicy artisan batik line, IMBUE Batiks, as interpreted by Kenna Ogg of Madison Cottage Design

Putting the ARTISAN in Artisan Batiks

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What makes a batik an “artisan batik”? Clearly, all batiks are created by talented artists around the world, whether or not we know their names.  With two beautiful designer batik collections in our current Studio 37 line, we asked our designers what it is that gives their creations that “artisan” touch, and uncovered some of their signature characteristics:


Victoria Findlay Wolfe describes her PARTS DEPT. BATIKS as having an artistic use of negative space in the designs.  “Graphic, fun rock-and-roll style prints…Edgy, yet they play well with others.  Classic dots and Crisp whites.” Her Star Storm pattern and kit (lower left) are available online.

  

   

Kim Eichler-Messmer points out the following in her IMBUE BATIKS, her debut collection for Studio 37.  “They are different because of clean, modern color palette inspired by my own hand dyed fabric…

   

Graphic, contrasting patterns that vary in scale from large to small.  The fabric is nice and soft and smooth, very easy to work with in quilts and garments.  They are hand printed and the hand of the maker shows in the imperfections that add character to the cloth.”  You’ll find Kim’s IMBUE quilt patterns, Robie and Sonia online.
  
Also check out Kenna Ogg’s (Madison Cottage Design) rendition of IMBUE – her G. Smith quilt pattern, below, is also available online:

So…Who Won the AGED MUSLINS???

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Thanks to everyone for your inspiring ideas about our AGED MUSLINS and NEW AGED MUSLINS.  If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to read thru everyone’s terrific ideas – including some we hadn’t even thought of!

Without further delay, the winner of our random drawing is Christina Northern, from the metro DC area.  We’re pleased to introduce this new palette to so many new fans, includung Christina, who commented:   “What an interesting idea. I have not seen this kind of thing before. But Aged Muslin sounds so interesting. Can’t wait to work with it and turn it into something distinct.”   

You’ll find most of the colors in your favorite local quilt shops now, and the newer saturated colors will be shipping soon.  

And watch for details of the new Aged Muslins BOM, Stargazing, by Krisanne Watkins of Quail Valley Quilts. (shown here)

We’re Celebrating AGED MUSLINS with a Giveaway!

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TEN YEARS and still going strong!! In fact, ever since we introduced this novelty “not-so-solid” solid in 2007-08, they’ve just gotten better with time —

What separates our AGED MUSLIN from the look-alikes is a special dyeing technique that creates a faded, distressed, look.  The result is an inherent overall shading that gives the cloth gives its rich, suede-like appearance.   These qualities make our AGED MUSLINS an interesting complement for prints in pieced quilts, where a true solid would read too “flat”, and a texture print isn’t quite right either.

  • The 100% cotton range began with a few neutrals in paper-bag tones
  • Then it expanded to include blues and greys — Pair these with the season’s best denims & chambrays.
  • Next came the dusty midtones (NEW AGED MUSLINS)
  • And in 2017, we added eight saturated fashion colors to the New Aged Muslins category.

Perfect for Trendy and Traditional Quilts, Home Décor, Fashion…

  • They’ll give an authentic, aged look when paired with reproductions, or a casual effect when blended with contemporary prints.
  • AGED MUSLIN’s weave is slightly tighter than standard quilting fabrics, making it an excellent background fabric for appliqué, embroidery and other forms of handwork.
  • The collection also plays well on its own, as you can see in “Stargazing”, shown below our new Aged Muslin BOM program by Krisanne Watkins of Quail Valley Quilts.  Watch for details on line soon!(Begins September 2018, 91” x 91”)

What’s your favorite use for our Aged Muslins, including neutrals, blues and greys, dusty midtones or the newest saturated colors?  Or if you haven’t tried them yet, what would you make?  Comment below for the chance to WIN a FQ BUNDLE!! All blog comments received by Sunday, April 8 at 11:59pm are eligible for the random dawing  —  Good Luck!

GTKH, Now in a 6-Inch Wide Strip Bundle!

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Nancy Rink’s GTKH: Getting to Know Hue collection inspires a fresh new look for 2018, with a new 6″ WIDE precut bundle (24 prints) and two new patterns designed by Tiffany Hayes, a friend of Nancy’s, and the owner of Needle in a Hayes Stack.

Tiffany created the “Stars Over Hue” pattern specifically for the new 6” wide strip bundles, then quickly followed up with a second quilt, a re-work of her existing Double Churn block.  Tiffany  manipulated the block design until she was able to utilize all of the pieces in the strip bundle, and the result is her “Double Churn” quilt pattern.  The bundle includes (24) strips, 6” wide x WOF, a generous put-up that lends itself to many other quilt designs as well.  Ask for it at your favorite local quilt shop!